Thalassemia Complications and End-Organ Damage

What percentage of patients with β-thalassemia developed at least one comorbidity over the 10-year follow-up period?

What was the age group in which cardiac disease occurred in 64% of patients?

What was the most common cardiac condition in patients with β-thalassemia?

What was the source of data for the retrospective analysis?

How many patients with β-thalassemia were included in the study?

What was the time period for patient follow-up in the study?

What type of thalassemia may experience similar complications to β-thalassemia?

What was the reference for the study?

What serious complications can lead to end-organ damage in patients with β-thalassemia?

What was the minimum number of blood transfusions required for patient inclusion in the study?

Transfusion-Dependent (TD) Patients with β-Thalassemia

TD patients with β-thalassemia are at risk of developing serious complications related to transfusion and disease, which can lead to end-organ damage.
Over 10 years, 7% of patients developed at least one comorbidity.

Comorbidities in TD Patients with β-Thalassemia

In the 45- to 49-year age group, cardiac disease occurred in 64% of patients.
The most common cardiac conditions were atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and acute arrhythmia.

Study Design

The study was a retrospective analysis using ICD-10 diagnosis codes in the Hospital Episode Statistics database.
The database included admissions and outpatient attendance at National Health Service hospitals in England.
The study recorded comorbidities and mortality in 612 TD patients with β-thalassemia.

Study Duration and Patient Follow-up

Patients were followed from their first hospital admission or outpatient appointment in 2009.
The follow-up period ended at death in hospital, last hospital admission, or last outpatient appointment in 2018.

α-Thalassemia Complications

Patients with α-thalassemia may experience complications similar to those of patients with β-thalassemia.
However, there are limited studies in TD patients with α-thalassemia.

This quiz explores the serious complications related to transfusion and disease in patients with β-thalassemia, leading to end-organ damage. Learn about the rates of complications over 10 years and the comorbidities that develop.